I seriously just forgot. The color overwhelmed my reasoning brain with how amazing it was. When I got home and was petting and admiring the skeins, I suddenly remembered my goal of using more neutrals. But by then I didn't care and I had a plan for my two precious skeins.
I decided to take advantage of the incredible brightness of the color and make something bike-y with it, something that would be high-vis for safety, but also look good with my fall outfits.
Pussywillow Mitts have just been published in the Deep Fall issue of Knitty (which means they're FREE!) They're super simple to knit up - the stitch pattern just involves knitting, purling, and a few other simple maneuvers, and the pattern is just four rows long. The stitch pattern is really stretchy, so there's no shaping necessary. You can make them as long or short as you want without adjusting the pattern much - just start the thumb hole sooner or later than suggested. I really want to see a pair of these made up as full-length arm warmers, though of course that would take more yarn.
They're designed to be worn with negative ease at the hand and forearm - I'm wearing the size Small in the photos - my hand circumference is 7 in/18 cm, my forearm circumference is 8.25 in/21 cm, and my wrist circumference is 5.5 in/14 cm. The actual circumference of the mitt in that size is 5.5 in/14 cm, so they fit me well at the wrist and stretch comfortably to fit my hand and forearm.
Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool is listed on Ravelry as a sport weight, but it feels more like a heavy fingering weight to me (the label says, "Sport/Heavy Sock Weight"), so I can see these working really well in that special skein of sock yarn you've got hanging around your stash. That being said, Dyed in the Wool comes in some pretty incredible colors. It's Bluefaced Leicester Wool, which is delightfully different from Merino - it's got a dry, wooly hand, but is still really soft and comfortable. If you've never worked with BFL, you've got to give it a try.
Happy knitting!
Pattern Info:
Finished Measurements
S (M, L)
to fit 7 (8, 9) in/18 (20.5, 23) cm hand circumference
Yarn
Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (100% wool; 200yd/183m per 75g skein)
Color: Pussywillow; 2 skeins
Gauge
23 sts/34 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch
38 sts/28 rows = 4" in textured pattern stitch
Needles & Notions
* Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.
US #06/4mm needles for small circumference in the round
tapestry needle
stitch marker
Skills
work in the round, working textured stitch pattern (instructions given)
Perfect! I've been in a knitting fingerless gloves fit lately, stocking up for winter riding. I came across some neon green/yellow in my stash and was looking for something a little different from my usual fingerless glove recipe. I'm going to start them right now! :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like the pattern!
ReplyDeleteThis is just what I need to update my fingerless glove pattern! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDelete